Assalaamu alaykum. Sometimes, there are people who post some chainmail saying something like, “‘Like’ if you love Allah, and ignore if you do not care.” My parents said that it does not matter whether I click ‘like’ or not, because what matters is what I actually feel towards Allah. In such case, is it my obligation to click ‘like’? Also, I want to ask whether this constitutes lying? Also, for example, my friend shouted, “Who has a pen?” in class, but because I do not want to lend mine to her for some reason, I did not answer her. Does this constitute lying? In another case, my teacher asked for the students who did not understand the subject to raise their hands, and although I did not understand it, I did not raise my hand because I want to study it by myself later. Does this constitute lying? Thank you very much.

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

You are not obliged to click ‘like’, and if someone clicks it, it does not indicate that he loves Allah; and if he ignores it, it does not mean that he does not love Allah. Muslims should not be tested with such things.

It does not constitute lying that you do not answer when your friend asks for a pen or anything else. Lying is defined as saying something that is not true, and you did not say anything to her. Also, you are not obliged to give her what she asked for; however, if she is in need and there is nothing that prevents you from giving her what she needs, then give it to her and expect the reward from Allah. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, “Whoever removes a worldly hardship from a believer, Allah will remove one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection from him. Whoever grants respite to a debtor who is in difficulty, Allah will grant him relief in this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever conceals the fault of a Muslim in this world, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah will help a person so long as he is helping his brother.” [Muslim]

It is also not lying that you do not raise your hand when your teacher asks that the students who did not understand the subject raise their hands; however, you should not ignore her request out of respect for her. In addition, she might have a valid reason for making this request.

Allah knows best.